Is the world really going to sit back and watch as these peaceful protesters in Turkey are attacked by police with chemical weapons?

Peaceful protesters are being attacked with chemical weapons and RUN OVER by swat vehicles. Is this not worthy of help from the world? Is it possible that respect can be worth more than a resource that we readily fight for at the drop of a hat? Why are human rights being ignored? Peaceful protest meets non-peaceful police and the world just stands by and watches. Where is this right? Do our leaders have any morals? We intervene whenever a resource is in the equation.

Jun 9 2013:
I was not aware of these events otherwise I would have done the same thing I did for the Turkish people. No one should be treated in such a manner and the fact that anyone can do these things to another person is very unsettling to me. What the world needs is cooperation, without that we are all doomed.

Jun 6 2013:
I just watched the video here: http://youtu.be/aEapNRakzDI and I was deeply moved. Clearly the Islamic leadership in Turkey is trying to take that nation backwards into a more conservative state; one that is more consistent with the misguided ideals of totalitarian control. Here is a link to a document that remains quite revolutionary to this very day. Read it first before you worry about where it comes from.

The ideas within this document remain revolutionary. Totalitarian governments hate these ideas. But they tend to be clueless as to how strongly and positively most U.S. Americans feel about it.

I know little of the actual political forces at work in this conflict, but I am aware of where, when, why, and how student-youth movements have been both influential and successful in effecting significant change. Now is the time for great care and even greater vigilance. Because now is the time when a totalitarian regime, in both perceiving and FEELING the threat --begins to search for justification to increase control. In fact, this process is already a decade old now. So your opponents have a head start.

And here is an idea for you. Who is it that the State Police of Turkey need fear most? The young man who made this video referenced here? Or the mysterious woman with a bottle of vinegar who helped the young man?

Jun 16 2013:
Nice article. THAT seems to explain things. And that seems to answer the questions I asked above. But to what degree do you support the Turkish government, as it is described in this article? And how do you balance that against the right of peaceful protest in a democracy?

I know it can be annoying for someone to ask too many questions. That annoying habit I retain after 50+ years of hard experience w/it. I learned how to ask (WHY?) when I was about two years old. My late parents were school teachers. And strangely enough, they ALWAYS had answers.

You've really provoked a deep response here from some of the Muslim observers. I'm curious about that.

Jun 13 2013:
Why would I do anything that could effect my already comfortable life?
What have the people of Turkey (amongst Libya, Syria, Egypt...) ever done for me? What am I going to get out of helping complete strangers?
They are Muslim, who cares about them?
______________________________________
Putting aside the common and normal attitudes of the brain-washed masses...

Now that the news of Turkey is even being publicly shown on our corporate news stations says something, but nothing from the actual station should be accredited as being true. (As using phrases like conservative and liberal to explain a middle eastern countries politics is adequate coverage.) What it says is "the power of the internet is real" and this power allows everyday citizens to be informed.. And while most Westerns pride themselves on believing they are well-informed about global and local issues, the contrary is more evident.

An outstanding difference between west and [middle] eastern attitudes is the fact westerners are far more individualistic with thinking. Middle Eastern countries have been able to organize and revolt recently because they trust their neighbors far more commonly than we would here in the states. If the U.S ever revolted like one of these countries, more civilians would probably harm other civilians than the military-police would get a chance to - we are a very selfish culture: our entertainment and education system is enough to note here. This attitude needs to be recognized.

Ignoring Turkey for a moment to look at Syrian Terrorist ("protestors" with guns)... Who happened to be formed by the CIA (who Osama was a member of) like Al Qaeda. There is shadow-government behavior in this world, and it is not bound to American soil. Although protesting is now 'low-level terrorism' right here at home.

The issue of Turkey, whether you can or cannot help, should be noticed and investigated on one's own terms. In fact, look into why all of the middle east is revolting slowly...

Jun 16 2013:
OK, I admit to being brainwashed. It keeps things cleaned up inside that vacant space between my ears. I don't consider my cranium to be the equivalent of a hollow tree -- neither bugs nor birds, nor squirrels, nor owls enter to take up residence, uninvited.

I think there are a great many U.S. Americans who care a great deal about 'Muslim' issues. The events of 9/11 did that for us. The Earth is a much smaller planet these days. In part, 9/11 was a consequence of that.

Are you informed? Do you claim to be informed? Better to maintain a healthy skepticism and observe events as they are. Draw your conclusions later, when you have more information/facts upon which to decide. Part of my appreciation/debt to Blade Runner (here) is the degree to which he provokes informative responses from others. I see (at least some) of what he sees, here.

Are you criticizing the U.S. media? Or do you criticize your fellow citizens? If so, on what basis? And if on the issue of "ignorance," I can afford to agree (to a point). But will you offer us an alternative to illuminate that point?

Who told you that middle east countries trust their neighbors? And who told you that "more civilians would harm other civilians than the military police?" How old were you when 9/11 happened? Go ask some older person you trust just how MUCH U.S. Americans support one another when confronted by a common threat or shared tragedy! U.S. Americans stand together in ways that I find admirable.

Watch out for idiots on the internet who will try to get you to believe that the CIA is responsible for 9/11. The hijackers on the plane wanted to kill us. You too if you'd have been there. Check your facts/attitudes and talk to some older folks in your life. Examine all

Jun 11 2013:
Yes, it always did...
The world is not any one specific...
The world is I and you and he and she and we and they and all of us.
So ask yourself: "Self, are you going to sit back and watch ???"

Jun 12 2013:
I'm doing what I'm capable of. My voice will not be heard the same as leaders that should be speaking. All I can do is inform. I agree with everything you said too. We need to realize that we are all connected. What happens to one will happen to the next, eventually. Turning a blind eye solves nothing. Picking up weapons solves nothing. I believe helping to understand solves everything.

Jun 9 2013:
Here we are again Jah with me catching up on your '19 hours ago' which had no reply option...............

Firstly, suggest we both know that your 'fave' bleeding heart made up fantasy tale is not what I was referring when I quoted Islam's '"Taqiyya and Kitman" and the condoning of lieing to further the cause of Islam. Accordingly I suggest your analogy is a joke.

And as for your fantasy question...'Do you lie to her or tell her the truth?'.................Begs.....Why do you have to tell her anything at that point?

And boy is this one piece of dishonest hypocrisy................"Don't tell me about my morals. You are not "God" or anyone that has earned respect from me so you have no right to judge me or any other person here."

That from the Guy that came on bragging about his 'high morals' now tells us his morals are beyond questioning or discussion.

Moving along...........................And a 'god' has what to do with this?

Also suggest, we ALL have the right (except maybe under Sharia Law) to make whatever judgements we desire just like you have done right here and now and on the events in Turkey.

And as for this :)...........' I don't think I'm even going to respond to you anymore honestly.'...............Hey Jah, I've had my doubts about you responding 'honestly' ("Taqiyya and Kitman") from the start! :)

Also suggest that walking away doesn't automatically mean/guarantee/prove that somebody is a 'bigger man'..........could be nothing more than a bit of self serving political maneuvering to save face and try and collect some brownie points from the naive.

Jun 11 2013:
It is a shame. As modern and intelligent as we are, most people get some power and all sense and humanity goes out the window. They return a caveman way of thinking "I'm leader. You listen or else. UGH UGH UGH!" We are not naturally aggressive. I don't care what anyone says. Kids don't go around hitting other kids unless they saw it before. Kiddie see, Kiddie do. The cycle of violence and pain just has to stop. It's up to our leaders to make that happen. Citizens have been trying for a long time and always get crushed by gov't or the majority of citizens(who are brainwashed to believe these things are necessary for their survival). World wide cooperation WILL be much more beneficial to us as a species, no matter what corner of the world you're in. I think that the case is, They don't want to listen to a bunch of "hippies". They're too "good" for that. Almost constant war since civilization has modernized is proving that this way isn't working. Everything belongs to everyone. It's just that simple. When that thought is common between all people, We will truly know peace and prosperity.

Jun 11 2013:
You said it, Jah. "It's up to our leaders to make that happen."
And when leaders go nuts, the people suffer.

I heard some updates on the radio this morning, what the people in Istanbul see on the media paints a very different picture than what is going on in reality.
Propaganda needs to stop!

This whole thing aggravates me to no end. Ever since 1987, Turkey's membership bid to the EU has been controversial, at best. Clearly, there is polarity in what the people want, and what the leaders want, or rather, are clinging onto, at the expense of the people.

Jun 11 2013:
What bothers me even more than the lies about whos attacking who is the fact they keep saying its over a park.... It's over plenty more things than a park. The people just drew the line there. This is all from what I've read from people in Turkey. They are just crossing the line. I don't understand why no one in NATO/UN is looking at twitter or facebook or anything with living people communicating. ALL THE EVIDENCE IS THERE! I think they are waiting for a confession from Erdogan before they do anything or maybe they are waiting for permission from the oppressor Erdogan to come and protect his enemies "the looters". Which were college students and firefighters and librarians and every other job before the protests but now they are looters. If that obvious of a lie is accepted without question I guess I'm Bill Gates son and he hasn't been paying support. That's a logical metaphor. Both are completely ludicrous and are nothing but words out of one persons mouth. Erdogan is going to cause a civil war in Turkey. People say the protesters are 30,000 strong and the city has millions of people. Yes, that may be true. When the real bullets start flying do you think 30,00 is going to increase or decrease? They are fighting for their homes, their city, their country, and their future. The police are fighting for.... pension? I don't even know because they are puppets. They are just doing what they are told like good little pets. Be a man, all of them need to remember they are men NOT SLAVES. Then again they were pepper spraying female students sitting in parks and shooting tear gas at women in dresses.... I don't think she's protesting in this warzone in a dress bro calm down. If I was there watching that firsthand I would be the first to toss a brick because those are all scumbag moves. No excuse for it at all. Orders? Do you have free will? Ok, now have fun rotting in prison for 30k assualt and battery charges, a few murders, attempted murder with tear gas container, ect!

Jun 12 2013:
Erdogan have proven that he will not tolerate criticism. He says he openly welcomes it but if he feels it's insulting he will not. He loaded the gov't with his like minded friends and all that opposed him were punished when he got to a level where he had the power to do so. He made examples out of those who opposed him. They lost their jobs, at the least. Some were jailed for their opposition. That is not democracy in any sense. He has let his personality cloud his democratic judgement and actions. Democracy does not rule with an iron fist. Democracy rules with compassion and understanding and a willingness to heed the opinions of those who disagree. I just watched some JFK speeches and he nailed it. Over 40 years ago JFK nailed it. What he warned of is here and in full effect. If we do not act soon, we will all pay the price. All for the wants of a few terrible "people". These "people" are a plague on the world and the examples they set are only spawning more like them. I have hope that good can prevail but like you said "at what cost".

Jun 11 2013:
Jah . . . I can't get all the way there with the solutions you propose.

But your basic observations are Right on point! Please do not give up hope. Change is possible. And change will come. Everyone must work together. And everyone must understand the value of peaceful protest. In my lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King changed an entire generation of indifferent, white, racist men & women (my parents and their generation) into reasonable, concerned, law-abiding citizens. It still took Affirmative Action and other, similar, laws to ensure that racism and prejudice were/are unacceptable. But change did come. And violence was not the way.

Other than by posting here on TED, and by keeping myself informed on events, I have to admit that I am unsure as to how I might help. Participation in the Vidalia/TOR project surely helps at some level. But beyond that? Who knows? I could write to my Congressman or Senator and hope for something better. But is military intervention really the answer?

It is very easy to say that this is not my struggle. It is. But as an ignorant foreigner, how likely am I to choose the wrong side? There are nuances and consequences and personalities involved. I know. I have seen that first hand.

No, on the day that about 500 million people or more all AGREE that change must come, change begins. And change completes very quickly when that many people agree. We just all have to find the one idea to agree upon . . . that makes the change inevitable.

Well, if we just changed one thing on all their resume's: their religion -- they'd all sound like pretty good civil servants. If we changed Islam to "Southern Baptist" across the board then both liberals & conservatives would have no complaint. Then if we made them all white folks from Greece, then none of the tea party would have a second thought about any of them!

So maybe there is some racism involved? I don't know. You gotta have more to make that kind of accusation stick in any meaningful way. I know, I learned about that the hard way.

When I was in the military they taught us about spies & stuff like that. But I learned the hard way that you leave that intelligence stuff alone! Trained professionals do that! Both inside and outside the military. Your job in the military is vigilance and doing your duty carefully. No more & no less. Investigation is something else; that's a different animal. And that is where all the questions have to end for me! If they are all hard workers and do a good job, that's fine. And if the FBI checks them out w/all that NSA telephone & internet surveillance, then that is even better. If they go terrorist or anything and start building bombs; I'd bet the FBI would catch them quick!

Jun 9 2013:
Well Juan................suggest we can't turn them into what they are not and leaving the race card out of the slot and when one stacks the undermentioned on top of each other is there some room for concern............

Jun 9 2013:
Blade Runner, we may agree more than disagree. I wrote this earlier today.

Is TERRORISM RADIOACTIVE? Is TERRORIST Islam making itself RADIOACTIVE? Will Islam invite its own destruction? Can we avoid WAR?

I see no fear in the hearts of my Comrades. To quote Vladimir Putin, "They see us as dust."

They lie to pacify us. Islam permits that. We in all Civilized Nations; We despise liars. If they cannot speak truth as men, & accept TRUTH' as the price of membership in worldwide civilization; I see a very difficult future for them.

Furthermore, they misinterpret their own willingness to engage in deception and violence as strength. There is a familiar solution for that kind of 'Jihad.'

There is no longer a legitimate NAZI (Aryan-national socialist) party left anywhere on Earth. There is no conservative 'wing' or liberal 'wing' of the Nazi party anywhere. Adolph Hitler and his ideas were TERMINATED! Japanese Imperialism was TERMINATED! Saddam Hussein & his sons were TERMINATED! The Ba'athist party has been TERMINATED!

We have proven ourselves. We are NOT the cowards they suspected us of being. We will fight. And for as long as they think they can 1) lie to us; and 2) kill us -They make a serious mistake. Everyone agrees with me on that point. We do not fear death. We will not submit to insanity. And we will fight.

Only ONE nation on this Earth has ever used Atomic Weapons to end a military conflict. Only ONE. That nation built/tested one nuclear bomb to prove that it could be done. The next two bombs built were used to TERMINATE a conflict. Over 200,000 killed without remorse-2 bombs on Japan.

The above is horrible to think about: But to quote Rodney King: "Why can't we all just get along?" If things continue as they have thus far, one day we will either 1) run out of options, or 2) just flat-out run out of patience. Think about that! Every leader of every Civilized nation does. They do. So should we! Terrorism is Radioactive & poison to all.

Jun 7 2013:
USA has been doing the work of World Police for decades now. It attacked many countries and killed millions of innocent people. It has in fact acted like an international terrorist. Some demonstrations somewhere should not bother us any more except when crimes against humanity are being carried out. In that case we must first ask for the international trial of American Presidents and members of the Congress who eliminated the Humanity in millions without justification from President Roosevelt to President Obama. Leave Turkey alone, they will resolve their issues amicably. We should trust the democracies of other countries as well.

"The greatest tyrants today are those who prefer the rule of man over the laws of God (Sharia law). Jihad and the establishment of Sharia law on earth are the only two things which will unite all people, of all races, and rid the world of oppression, poverty and corruption for good."

Well Jah..................read the Islamic 'propaganda' on that link you put up and the aforementioned is the last para of the post on the link page and as far as I'm concerned Sharia Law is the biggest growing tyranny facing this planet today and anybody advocating Sharia law via Jihad is a terrorist in my book!

And further suggest your link only gave the 'sugar coated' version of Jihad as opposed to the 'hardcore' version.

Jun 8 2013:
I see your point. To quote Vladimir Putin, "They see us as dust."

They have no concept of how seriously we in the west despise liars. If they can't see at least a 'measured-diplomatic TRUTH' as the price of membership in worldwide civilization; I see a difficult future for them.

Jun 7 2013:
That was simply to point out that the meaning of the world is not commonly known and is generally misused and misunderstood. I struggle trying to teach people. That does not mean i hurt or kill them when they do not learn or refuse to listen. I don't commit jihad as you would say. Jihad is simply a struggle outsiders of the religion associate with violence when it is a personal struggle. Psychically, mentally, and emotionally.

The recently released NSA order to collect all data and filter it to find these terrorists will work. It's been going on for over 7 years now and they haven't come to get me yet. I guess I passed the test. :)

Without communication, there is no Jihad. Without bank accounts there is no Jihad. Without weapons, the terrorist will simply have to go back to beating their wives and rattling their sabres in order to exhort how strong and manly they are.

The one thing that Islamic don't understand is our commitment to preventing their violence and wife beating from becoming part of the social structure of western democracy. Democratic Jihad is stronger than terrorist Jihad.

The democratic Jihad being launched by NSA at this moment will demonstrate our commitment, motivation and ability to bring them to their knees.

Decent honest folk have nothing to fear from this battle that is in full swing and picking up the pace.

Jun 8 2013:
I see your point. So really? Why should we hesitate? I've always found FEAR to be a great virtue in those who deserve to feel it. And I see no fear in the hearts of my Comrades.

To quote Vladimir Putin, "They see us as dust."

They have no concept of how seriously we in all Civilized Nations -- despise liars. If they can't see at least a 'measured-diplomatic TRUTH' as the price of membership in worldwide civilization; I see a difficult future for them.

Furthermore, they misinterpret their own willingness to engage in deception and violence as strength. There is a solution for that. Yes, I see!

If you will notice, there is no longer a legitimate NAZI (Aryan-national socialist) party left anywhere on Earth. There is no conservative 'wing' or liberal 'wing' of the Nazi party anywhere. Adolph Hitler and his ideas were TERMINATED! so-to-speak. Saddam Hussein and his sons were TERMINATED! The Ba'athist party has been TERMINATED! in Iraq.

We have proven ourselves NOT to be the cowards they suspected us of being in Afghanistan. And for as long as they think they can 1) lie to us; and 2) kill us -- I perceive that as a serious mistake. And I think that everyone agrees with me on that point. Although not everyone will say it --

Only ONE nation on this Earth has ever used Atomic Weapons to end a military conflict. Only ONE. That nation built/tested one nuclear bomb to prove that it could be done. The next two bombs that were built were used to TERMINATE a conflict.

The above is a horrible way to illustrate my point: But to quote Rodney King: "Why can't we all just get along?" If things continue as they have thus far, one day we will either 1) run out of options, or 2) just flat-out run out of patience. And we all need to think about that! I can think of a solution for that. So can every leader of every NATO allied nation. They all see the same problem. Might they one day all see the same SOLUTION!

Jun 11 2013:
"...We have proven ourselves NOT to be the cowards they suspected us of being in Afghanistan. And for as long as they think they can 1) lie to us; and 2) kill us -- I perceive that as a serious mistake. And I think that everyone agrees with me on that point. Although not everyone will say it -- And I consider myself 'Liberal' in most of my political ideas..."

There is no mistake if you kill everyone. That way there are no distractors to the event. the winner gets to rewrite history and leave out your part in it

Of course such mindset could arise again in the future unless satisfactory cleaning methods are used to complete the total extermination.

Going another way, require we take into our bosom, the ideas and philosophies of the other side. Merge them with our own. Make them brothers and sister of a different ideal.

Jun 6 2013:
You can rob (as bankers have done to all of us), invade other countries (USA in our times), kill (drone attacks also by USA) and genocide (e.g.: as Nazis to Jews and same decade Jews to Palestinians which they STILL are doing) as long as you have the power to JUSTIFY it.

I'm sorry to say but 'human rights' and 'revolution' are alien worlds to the place we live in.

Jun 6 2013:
I find it odd that nobody has pointed this out yet:
Turkey is a member of NATO.
And Turkey holds a strategic location in the various ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Given the larger geopolitical environment, I think it's very unlikely that the US or the Europeans are going to take any overt or official action in this situation.

Jun 7 2013:
I am not a Turkish citizen, so it is not for me to say.
A little research shows that he has been democratically elected by the people of Turkey for three consecutive terms. It would be presumptuous of me to say that I know what it good for the people of Turkey better than they know themselves.

Jun 7 2013:
I think that's a pretty clear picture of things Kevin. No one is going to get involved. Turkey is a modern western thinking country. They have to deal with their people. I assure you if the same thing happened here in the US, no one would invite themselves into our disagreements.

I wouldn’t want to see my country go up in flames in that way. I would want the government to do something about it. The whole purpose of Democracy is to work things out without violence. Let he who would throw the first stone beware.

Jun 6 2013:
I confess my ignorance of the language being spoken. But clearly something is happening here to which the U.S. must respond. I'd advise anyone visiting this thread for any reason to watch this video first!

Jun 6 2013:
My theory is that any government that at least claims to be a democracy cannot allow public unrest to reach this level. There will always be malcontents who choose to protest. And that, with varying levels of justification. In the most successful democracies, access to the courts and access to a legal system that can and will act to effect change is critical. For example, the Civil Rights movement as led by Dr. Martin Luther King used both the power of public, peaceful protest AND the power of a just and impartial court system and criminal justice system to force change to benefit all U.S. Americans and African-Americans in particular. I think that President Barak Obama would agree w/me (or I with HIM) on that point..

In any democracy, the police are obligated to act in the public interest and keep things sane, if not 100% safe.

By way of one example I've offered elsewhere; here is one example of why governments must occasionally fall. The Romanov dynasty had ruled Russia for over 300 years. At the time of the Communist Revolution in 1917 that dynasty had obsessively preserved an oppressive, feudal system. And that system was a relic of an archaic and primitive past. The Romanov dynasty had simply ignored the democracy movement that had successfully swept across Europe in the preceding 200 years. People just got tired of it. And the rest is history.

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Jun 3 2013:
Yes i understand we can't overstep. People are dying in the streets because of excessive violence by the police. I say that's asking for someone to intervene. The UN needs to apply that pressure because the people are being violently and illegally brutalized in plain sight. There are many videos of a single man being beaten by 3+ officers with night sticks! The man is not even resisting. He is simply trying to escape the beating. This is no longer riot control, THIS IS AN ATTACK ON THE PEOPLE! It has gone on long enough. We are not barbarians and no one should be allowed to act as such!

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Jun 3 2013:
That's very true! The people of Turkey and the world will not forget these events though. They have committed their crimes and must answer for them. I just hope "I was just following orders" doesn't excuse their actions as it has before in history.

Jun 5 2013:
That sadly is one of the less violent things they are doing and Yes those events are tragic as well. I suggest you start a conversation about them and ask for ideas. Thanks for the comment though Mike.

Jun 16 2013:
Hi Nicholas lukowiak
you dont know anything about moslems,as ,when you were born, you didnt know any thing.
Im moslem and I dont see any difffrent between you and I.
and you must know that your government make this bad situation for moslem people,so we dont need the help of humans like you,just perevent your government that they doing.
we are Iranian and so soon that you cant think it, we will become powerfull,but not like you.becaese my religion said :each human is respectable.

Jun 16 2013:
Curious here Haman............are you per chance claiming that the US govt organized the Turkish protesters in the first instance to carry out the park protest or are you perchance harping on about the Iranian nuclear program????

Jun 12 2013:
It's okay for some languages. Korean and Chines work pretty well. I'm not to sure about Russia. I tried one of those websites where you interface with real people to learn a language. The problem with the Russian sites is they try to get you to marry their sister first. It's the same with people from Turkey, they want you to meet (and, hopefully, marry) their sister. I have a friend who fought in the Turkish, Greek war, around 2009 or so. I think the Turks are cool. Love their ideas about baths.

Speaking of Turkey, I hear they are talking some sit down and talk about things. Do you think the young Turks will take them up on it?

Jun 12 2013:
I added my location to my TED profile. But don't look for me there. I live in the year 2037 when the asteroid Apophis is parked at the Earth/Moon La Grange point. There is a gold rush to get there & mine. There's platinum & rare earth elements in there. You can buy a good, working Space Suit at Walmart. I wouldn't recommend the Walmart suit for durable use, though it is better than nothing.

I am from the future, where human cloning is a reality. We have fusion power and AA penlight batteries that are so powerful they put power back onto the grid!

I know about marrying someone's sister. I only wish polygamy were legal . . . In a world of ten billion people, maybe it should be! Oh wait! In the future it IS legal! Sorry, I forgot!

There was a Turkish/Greek war back in 2009? Where the hell was I? And HOW could I miss that! I mean -- I'm up here in the future after all! Did you know that Google now has its own Congress . . . . ooooooh!

Jun 11 2013:
Hi John, I quote you here:
"Going another way, require we take into our bosom, the ideas and philosophies of the other side. Merge them with our own. Make them brothers and sister of a different ideal."

But there is another problem afoot here. 'Islam' means 'submission.' 'Islam' REQUIRES submission. And the terrorist faction uses fear to achieve exactly that! They are willing to kill, and they have. That makes them criminals. And it is incumbent upon the rest of Islam to reject the Terrorism and murder. Otherwise their religion is fit only for criminals! What other conclusion is there?

From what I understand, many already have. But to do so vocally or publicly can risk making one's self a target.

You say: "Merge them with our own. Make them brothers & sisters of a different ideal." I find that comment very appealing, except that it will never fly with the terrorist faction. They want to inflict Sharia law on all of us and subject us all to an Islamic theocracy. I guess in some ways that is little different from the racist fascism of Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan. And it took a World War to rid humanity of an entire generation of tainted, poisonous leadership that espoused those ideas with religious zeal. That's a potent analogy to where we are right now!

Because I am obviously an 'Infidel' . . . or a non-Muslim from birth, I am just another face in the crowd. And were I not 'elsewhere,' I might have been in Boston @ the Marathon in April when the bombs went off. Or I might have been inside the towers when they fell. All of the victims were no different from me. We are all just people, living our lives. And we'd like the opportunity to do that in peace!

But thanks to that set of peculiar, and insane set of ideas that motivate the Terrorists -- Peace is impossible. Not when a major world religion of 1.6 Billion adherents, espouses the idea that God gives a "Get into Heaven, FREE!" ticket to anyone who commits murder as a suicide Terrorist.